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We were delighted to welcome a fantastic array of speakers, including many Attleborough Academy alumni, to contribute to our annual Year 12 Futures Week from 8 to 12 July.

The week started with the British Army delivering Elite Skills Academy, a workshop that gave a taste of Army teamwork and problem solving. This was a great way for students to reflect on their skills and abilities, ahead of then looking at how they could apply these to the requirements of job, apprenticeship, and course vacancies. A series of sessions introduced the post-18 pathways available to students, offering advice on how to research and apply, supported by Lucy Nottingham from UEA. Raising financial awareness was a key aim of the week and activities were designed for Year 12 to also explore salaries and expenses, student finance, budgeting, and living independently.

Expert guidance on writing personal statements for UCAS applications was offered by the University of Oxford and the University of Hertfordshire. As part of our Step Up Programme partnership, Shelby Holmes from New College advised students on how to tailor their applications for highly competitive courses and Russell Group and Oxbridge universities. Stacey Smith from Hertfordshire provided small-group workshops for students to develop their statements further, with a particular focus on how they can best use their recent work experience and Year 12 volunteering placements.

Through our applied pathway sessions, Amy Stanton spoke about degree apprenticeship routes with Norfolk Police, including how to gain experience and make strong applications. Zeynep Ayhan shared insights from her gap year working in the NHS and how she made her decision to pursue a Psychology degree. Charlie Scoulding detailed his experience of studying at the London School of Economics, sharing tips of how to make the most of university. Ellen Cursons encouraged students to reflect on what they wanted and to make the right decision for themselves, rather than fitting the expectations of others, and outlined how degree experiences can vary depending on the chosen subject and institution. Beth Denman and Maddy Hall described their routes into employment, covering their decision-making and experiences of running businesses, before offering a Q&A.

The insights allowed Year 12s to reflect on which routes they are interested in, leading them to pose lots of questions and some have explored options that they had not previously considered. Several students are now planning further shadowing and work experience placements for the Summer to continue their research and gain more experience ahead of making applications next year.

The final day of Futures Week provided a trip to London. The first stop was at Goldsmiths, University of London, where students took part in a Be Bold with Gold workshop, learning more about degree options and student life. We then walked through Greenwich Park, taking in the skyline of Canary Wharf, on our way to have lunch around Greenwich Market. The sun started to shine just in time for a river cruise down the Thames to Westminster, past many of the sights and landmarks of central London. A tour of UK Parliament gave Year 12 an insight into parliamentary and decision-making processes as well as a chance to see the preparations being made for the State Opening of Parliament following the 2024 general election. Covent Garden provided the final stop, allowing time for some shopping and eating ahead of us returning to Attleborough. 

Our 2024 Futures Week provided a packed schedule but proved to be highly informative and enjoyable. Year 12 are entering the Summer much more knowledgeable on the post-18 pathways available to them, confident in how to research and apply for them, while also having greater financial awareness. Thank you to all of the speakers who contributed to making the events a huge success, including our inspiring former students!